We had a great time on this cruise. We were with a group totaling 14 so we were busy all the time and the crew on the ship was great. I was disappointed on my last RC cruise on the Serenade of the Seas and would have gone back to Carnival except for our friends choosing this cruise. Well Empress of the Seas more than made up for it. The dining room food was 10 times better than on the Serenade.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Practically walk right on.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Main dining was superb so much better than the Serenade. I give it the full five stars but the buffet does bring it down. Always the same food and just not very good.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
With a group of 14 it was hard to find an area where we could hang out and play games. No tables big enough (except by the pool but it was too windy) but we made it work. Our group loved the music activities and trivia games but the guy singing in the Schooner bar was so bad we avoided that bar completely. The rock climbing wall was closed more than it was open again rough seas and windy.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Enjoyed the comedians and the dance shows.
Children's Programs
2 out of 5
I don't think there was anywhere for the kids to go so they seemed to hang out in the bars.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
They could not have tried harder or done better.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
It is a small ship but we enjoyed it for a change. You do feel the rough seas quite a bit more though. Every thing seemed clean and there was always people cleaning rails and things. They work really hard at it but never in the way.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Smaller due to a small ship but we expected that. We were above the Bolero Bar and we could hear the music usually until around 1 am which is also curfew for the kids who then partied in their room (next to ours) until 3 or so. The walls are very thin and you hear your neighbors quite a bit.
Ship tip
Expect the ship and your room to be smaller. Do not get a room over the bar or any other public area. If the seas are rough you will feel it more so get a room near the center of the ship.
This was a wonderful experience over all. We did the RC tour and enjoyed the cigar factory and the "marriage" of the Cuban coffee, rum and cigar. We did not like our tour guide who kept us on the bus too long driving the neighborhoods and he could not speak English well enough to understand.
We did a third party walking tour with shore trips.com. Our guide was Anayce and it was WONDERFUL but we did cover about 7 miles I think. She was very well spoken, nice and full of information. Cienfuegos is more what you would think of old time Cuba and the people were as nice as could be.
Did the RC stingray city and barrier reef snorkel. My first time to snorkel and it was FANTASTIC. I used a full face mask I purchased and brought and it worked out great for an old fat lady. George Town was diffidently a tours town but the excursions are wonderful.
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